She Became A Downfall Noble Lady
Chapter 487 - 485

Chapter 487: 485

Jinrong rose early and left the city to see Ye Xinyan off, even missing breakfast. Wan Yan welcomed Jinrong into the Wenxuan Hall, where he usually resided, and didn’t rush to serve food but waited for Hongzhi to help Jinrong change out of his outer garments. He then busied himself instructing two servants to fetch water for hand washing, all the while cautiously asking, "Did the Sixth Master see off Miss Ye? Was the journey alright?"

Jinrong hummed in response, not offering more, and sat at a chair beside the table, signaling them to serve the meal.

Wan Yan hurriedly gestured to the attending servant at the door, who pushed the door open and left. Soon after, a variety of congee, noodles, several small dishes, and buns were brought in.

Wan Yan stepped forward and suggested, "Sixth Master, perhaps start with a bowl of congee. It’s more refreshing."

Jinrong hummed again, then swept a glance at the several servants waiting in the room.

Wan Yan quickly motioned behind her, and the servants quietly withdrew. Hongzhi was the last to leave, carefully shutting the door behind him.

Wan Yan served a small bowl of congee and placed it in front of Jinrong, speaking softly, "Before the new year, you and Lord Jiang decided that Miss Ye would need to return to Yuyuan Prefecture. It was unexpected that Duke An could make her matter so straightforward, but aside from that, everything else proceeded according to your plan. The expansion of the Qi family’s Construction Industry and Dairy Products Store requires Miss Ye’s management. She must return and sort things out properly. Please eat, Sixth Master, and don’t be too troubled. The year will pass quickly, and Miss Ye will eventually return."

Jinrong picked up the bowl and then set it down, a look of frustration finally appearing on his face, "Ye Zi is twenty this year. Jinyi has already found out that Ye Zi is unlike other women. With another year’s time, plenty of forces will have enough opportunity to thoroughly investigate her circumstances. By then, there will be many seeking to marry her to revitalize their family businesses. Which family doesn’t have a few young men? The threshold of the Ye Family and the Yin Family will probably be worn down by matchmakers and suitors."

Wan Yan sighed silently and tried to console him, "Miss Ye is different from other women; she won’t be manipulated by others."

Jinrong looked up at Wan Yan, "And what of it? Can she just keep waiting, waiting for me to secure that position before considering marriage? Besides, I can’t hold out much longer here." That was the true source of his anxiety.

What securing of positions? The Sixth Master must be truly desperate to dare to speak such thoughts aloud!

Wan Yan involuntarily glanced around before whispering, "Perhaps, Sixth Master, you could marry the princess consort first. As for who receives the honor afterward, is it not up to the Sixth Master to decide?"

The issue of the Sixth Master taking a new princess consort had already been urged by His Majesty and the Royal Mother many times. It really was no good to delay any further. If delayed, Consort Liang might implore His Majesty to decree a marriage, and then there really would be no room to maneuver.

"If I do that, Ye Zi will have even less chance to enter the household," Jinrong shook his head. As a concubine? He couldn’t bring himself to do such a thing, and Ye Zi would never agree. And Duke An, Yin Xiaocheng, and Jiang Yifan would likely come after him, blades in hand...

He also dared not disclose his affection for Ye Xinyan to the Imperial Father and Royal Mother. The Imperial Father was the ruler of a nation, and such romantic feelings were but stumbling blocks to the royal family’s rules. It was better not to mention it; if he did, given Ye Zi’s status as a hindrance to the royal family’s dignity, she might not have a way out.

The Royal Mother was still selecting suitable young ladies from various prestigious clans. Without knowing Ye Zi, the Royal Mother would surely oppose vigorously.

Jinrong muttered to himself, "If only I were of common birth..."

"You must not speak such words, Sixth Master," said Wan Yan in a low voice, cutting Jinrong off.

...

The journey from the capital to Yuyuan Prefecture was long and arduous.

Yet for Madam Yin, who had always lived in the inner court, the trip wasn’t too dull, thanks to the company of Ye Xinyan, Qi Jiaer, and Qi Sanshun. Plus, with the weather warming up, she could let the breeze in through the carriage window or simply lift the curtain to gaze at the vast expanse ahead, which put her in quite a good mood.

Looking at the vast world outside and then at her beloved daughter, with no annoying troubles and occasionally the merry laughter of two sweet boys, Madam Yin found her slight fatigue insignificant.

Their group had many vehicles, but the fierce guards accompanying them outnumbered those riding in the carriages, ensuring a smooth journey without any setbacks. They set off on the second day of February and, though the itinerary was not very tight, they didn’t delay much either. By the afternoon of the twentieth, Qingyuan County was within sight.

Whether it was nostalgia playing tricks or simply a child’s good memory, upon seeing the blurry outline of the town from afar, Qi Jiaer tugged at Ye Xinyan, pointing ahead and shouting, "Sister, sister, look, we’re home, that’s our county town!"

Qi Sanshun, riding on a pony, also excitedly asked Guan He, "Master Guan, is that Qingyuan County? Have we reached Qingyuan County?"

Almost as soon as they spotted Qingyuan County, several horsemen came galloping out of the city gate towards Ye Xinyan’s caravan, and before long, the riders came into view.

Zhao Gang, with a stern face, saw Jiang Yifan among them as expected.

Jiang Yifan came rushing over on horseback and, despite his eagerness, maintained proper etiquette. He dismounted from afar and walked briskly over.

Zhao Gang, though dissatisfied with Jiang Yifan, couldn’t be too harsh in the face of impeccable manners. He waved to stop the caravan.

Before Zhao Gang could dismount, Jiang Yifan gave him a deep bow and said, "I, Jiang Yifan, greet Uncle Zhao. Uncle Zhao, thank you for your hard work escorting Ah Yan and the wife of the heir apparent all this way."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gang’s eyes flashed fiercely, his grip on the riding crop tightened and then loosened, then tightened again. In the end, he refrained from assaulting this shameless scoundrel. Ah Yan is also yours to call? He was escorting his own great aunt and Miss Cousin, did he need your thanks?

Guan He watched as Zhao Gang’s hand released the riding crop, and he breathed a sigh of relief for himself and his junior. He got along well with Zhao Gang, and if Zhao Gang had actually hit Jiang Yifan, what should he, as a senior, do? Or rather, should he not do anything?

Fortunately, Zhao Gang was a reliable fellow and didn’t end up brawling with the local magistrate on the first day of Ye Xinyan’s return, making a name for herself in Qingyuan County in such a manner.

Zhao Gang dismounted, gave a curt bow, and snorted coldly, responding to Jiang Yifan’s greeting.

Jiang Yifan then turned to Guan He, "Yuanfan thanks big brother for his protection these past days, you have worked hard. In the coming days, Yuanfan will invite big brother to drink a few rounds as a token of gratitude."

What kind of man do you take me for? You’ve used me as an enforcer for two months, and a few drinks is all I get? Guan He leisurely slid down from his horse, intending to also snort coldly in response. But seeing his junior’s expectant look, he couldn’t help but say, "We’re all family, what’s there to be hard about. Qi Jiaer has been mentioning you countless times from behind, go see him."

In the carriage at the back, Qi Jiaer already had his neck stretched out watching the scene. Seeing their conversation end and Jiang Yifan looking over, he immediately grinned and called out, "Lord Jiang, we’re back, and the boy has brought something fun for Lord Jiang."